Northern leaders unveil gamechangers for growth in the North

By Rob Kelly

28 Feb 2025

Convention of the North

Northern mayors and leaders are unveiling five transformative opportunities that will make the North the place to drive UK growth at the Convention of the North.

The North is first part of England to be fully covered by devolution following recent Government announcements, and northern mayors and leaders are using devolved powers to drive economic growth and improve the lives of people across the region.

Convention of the North 2025 will demonstrate how the North can build on the opportunities of devolution to support the UK Government’s growth mission through a northern growth model combining investment in the sectors that will power the future global economy, with investment in infrastructure and people.

Within this northern growth model, Convention of the North partners have identified five game-changing investment opportunities that would enable the North to drive growth and for the whole country, focusing on the region’s specific capabilities and challenges.

Those five gamechangers are:

  • Connecting the North through a transformed rail system
  • Making the North a global leader in clean energy investment
  • Creating a Northern cluster of AI excellence
  • Combining cutting-edge research with place-based prevention of ill-health to drive growth and reform
  • Investing in the North’s place, cultural, and natural assets

The gamechangers and Northern growth model is being discussed by delegates taking part in the Convention of the North in Preston today.

Cllr Phillippa Williamson, leader of Lancashire County Council and co-chair of Convention of the North 2025 said: “The North is absolutely bursting with potential. We’ve got strengths in key sectors right across the North that we can build on to address the issues the country is facing, which we know we’ve got the answer to.

“We know that we have challenges to address as well, which is the northern growth model we’ll be discussing at this year’s Convention of the North in Lancashire is about building on the opportunities where our region can deliver on the UK’s growth mission, while also tackling the long-term issues that have held us back historically through investment in skills, connectivity and prevention.

“This convention of the North is happening at a crucial moment for the UK and it’s our opportunity to show why the North is central to the UK’s prosperity.”

Clare Hayward MBE DL, co-chair of the Convention of the North 2025 said: “We believe our region has the scale, the capacity, and the capability to deliver the growth agenda for the UK and these five gamechangers are the starting point for a new chapter of collaboration across the North, working across our sectors and regions and with the government to build a North that drives our communities and the country forward.

“These are opportunities that stakeholders, businesses and people invested in the North have identified. They will unlock growth here and help the North play its full part in competing for the country in a changing and uncertain global economy.”

The five gamechangers for the North have been developed through policy collaboration between northern strategic authorities, business leaders, universities and civil society representatives.

They build on the work of successive Conventions of the North since 2018, and respond to the missions set out by the new UK Government.

Enjoyed this? Read more from Rob Kelly

Latest news

1

Investment drives growth plan at CoolKit Coolkit Vans

Investment drives growth plan at CoolKit

11 Jul 2025

2

Story Homes submits plans for 140 new homes in Longton Story Homes plans

Story Homes submits plans for 140 new homes in Longton

11 Jul 2025

3

University of Lancashire climbs 14 places in student positivity survey Happy students at ULAN

University of Lancashire climbs 14 places in student positivity survey

10 Jul 2025

4

Forbes Solicitors achieves strong growth and promotes 15 Forbes Solicitors promotions

Forbes Solicitors achieves strong growth and promotes 15

10 Jul 2025

5

Communications company raises investment will fuel global expansion Laurence Tan (Investment Associate, Praetura Ventures); Charlie Morris (Director, Corporate Finance (Mergers & Acquisitions); Ian Rose (Chairman, Audiebant); Josh Dean (CEO, Audiebant); Peter Carway (Investment Director, Praetura Ventures)

Communications company raises investment will fuel global expansion

10 Jul 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley College University Courses Building, Burnley, BB12 0AN

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past
1750160034867.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Jul 2025 - 16 Jul 2025

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:30

Chamber Summer BBQ
LBV Hub Social
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

Chamber Summer BBQ

The Borough, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

17:30 - 20:00

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?
July Longer Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

North West Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880456273-4862066883-1-original.20241022-105445.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
24 Oct 2025 - 24 Oct 2025

North West Business Expo 2025

Bolton Stadium Hotel, Bolton, BL6 6SF

09:00 - 15:00

Lancashire Business Day 2025
241122lbvlancashiredaylhp0647web
Networking
27 Nov 2025

Lancashire Business Day 2025

Burnley FC , Burnley, BB10 4BX

12:00 - 17:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin